The First Book of Kings contains the following story:

And there (at Mt. Horeb, the prophet Elijah) came to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the Word of the Lord came to him, and said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and slain your prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood out at the entrance of the cave.

(1 Kings 19:9-13)

This passage tells us all we need to know as we attempt to discern the will of God for us. The story tells us that the Lord is not found in the wind, or the earthquake or the fire. If we want to hear what the Lord is saying to us, we must listen to that “still, small voice” speaking from the depths of our heart, from the depths of our spirit.

The passage also tells us what we need to do to be able to hear that still,
small voice. We need to be quiet and find solitude. We need to find a place and take the time to listen. We need to tune out the noise - both exterior and interior - that fills our ears and our mind.

And we need to be still, and listen and wait for the Lord to speak. Just
like Elijah.

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